The effects of age, stimulus intensity, and training trials on mediated stimulus generalization

Abstract

Three experiments involving the mediated stimulus generalization (MSG) of verbs scaled for hostile intensity are described. Experiment I contrasted gradients for two age groups (9-2 and 11-8). The younger Ss had a higher, but not broader, gradient. Experiment II was derived from the Stimulus Intensity Dynamism (V). One-half of the Ss (Group H) were trained to make a lever pull to intensely hostile verbs and generalized down the intensity scale. The remaining Ss (Group M) were trained to mildly hostile verbs and generalized up the intensity scale. The Group M gradient was higher than that of Group H and consistent with (V). Experiment III contrasted the MSG gradients for groups receiving 4 and 8 reinforced training trials. As predicted the Group 8 gradient was higher and broader.